Berita
Pumpkin Jack puts the Halloween back in horror gaming
M
Matt Cabral
Thankfully, there’s Pumpkin Jack, a platforming adventure that forgoes the usual blood and gore in favor of gentler frights. It has a vibrant, playful presentation that captures the Halloween spirit better than a bowl full of “fun-size” candy bars. As the 2020 game's pumpkin-headed protagonist, players embark on a charming, goosebumps-raising romp through cursed cornfields, haunted swamps, ghost-filled graveyards, and other eerie environments evocative of All Hallows' Eve.
And while these scenes will no doubt tickle the nostalgic nerves of those raised on Hocus Pocus, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, and Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction, they're not merely cookie-cutter takes on the spooky staples. Brought to life (and death) by an absorbing, cartoon-inspired art style, immersive effects, and atmospheric lightning, Pumpkin Jack effortlessly, er, carves out its own spot among these classics.
Like a kid discovering a king-sized Snickers in their Halloween haul, you'll find yourself sporting a wide grin as the game's unique personality begins to shine like the eyes of its titular antihero. You might feel this emotion the first time you whack a scarecrow with a melee weapon and watch its stuffing fly out, or maybe when you save your progress and refuel Jack's health at a bubbling cauldron.
But these subtler inclusions barely scratch the surface of Pumpkin Jack’s ability to effectively harness the Halloween spirit. Spine-tingling set pieces, colorful character encounters, and boss battles that do much more than go bump in the night are among the highlights sprinkled through the game’s six levels. From a seat-of-the-pants mine cart chase to a lengthy stretch on a ghostly steed where Jack literally loses his gourd—essentially making him Sleepy Hollow’s headless horseman—the steady stream of spooky surprises rarely slows down.
Of course, these latter moments also show Pumpkin Jack's solid mix of platforming, third-person combat, and on-rails challenges. Heavily inspired by PlayStation 2-era favorites like Ratchet & Clank and Jak and Daxter, this rewarding gameplay perfectly blends with the seasonal vibes. Jack's imaginative arsenal, for example, includes a crow companion that does his bidding, as well as a cursed sword and a scythe made of bones.
Like any good platformer worth its weight in shiny collectibles, Pumpkin Jack's world is also littered with optional pickups, such as crow skulls redeemable for new outfits. For those looking to fully lean into the fall vibes, I suggest saving up for the Lumber skin, complete with farmer's overalls and a buffalo plaid flannel.
Whether you're looking to celebrate the season with a game that's more Halloween than horror, or you just feel like diving into a hidden-gem platformer that also happens to be heavily inspired by the candy-hoarding holiday, Pumpkin Jack has got your back.
Pumpkin Jack is available on the Epic Games Store.